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- Tasks: Advise clients on employment law, draft documents, and support workplace investigations.
- Company: Join a top-rated firm known for its supportive culture and excellent training.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a lawyer bonus.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in employment law while working with diverse clients and sectors.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 4-6 years' PQE and strong interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for personal development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate to join our Employment team in Birmingham.
About The Team
We are around 10 employment lawyers, working as one team across our London and Birmingham offices, with a national reputation in the employment law market. We distinguish ourselves by being good people to work with and offering practical advice, backed by the highest technical standards, delivered in plain English. We offer excellent training and development for our lawyers, consistent with the firm's ethos, and we are part of a firm which regularly wins awards for being a good place to work. The vast majority of our clients are employers; we act for employers in a wide range of sectors with particular strengths in tech, manufacturing (particularly automotive), financial services, social housing, construction and the public sector. We regularly work with international clients supporting their UK operations and with overseas law firms on referrals.
About The Role
This role will involve acting for our employer clients, from major corporates or public sector bodies through to tech start-ups, providing advice in a wide range of employment law issues including:
- Advising clients on how best to deliver their objectives, despite the complexities of employment law
- Drafting all types of employment-related documents – for example, service agreements, handbooks, secondment agreements, consultancy agreements
- Advising on legislative changes as they are proposed and finalised
- Advice on TUPE, from application to day-to-day support on handling information and consultation exercises
- Advice on redundancy and restructuring exercises
- Corporate support
- Transactional support to our commercial and real estate teams
- All types of litigation, in the employment tribunal or civil courts, including discrimination litigation and business protection disputes
- Support with all types of ER issues, from advising on grievances or protected disclosure issues, through to family friendly queries, agency work and working time issues
- Advising on trade union issues and industrial relations disputes
- Advising on and conducting workplace investigations
- Employment-related data protection issues, including handling DSARs and employee privacy notices
- Delivering training to clients
- Business development and profile raising for the team, including public speaking, alerts/articles for clients and targets
About You
You will be a qualified Solicitor with 4 to 6 years' PQE. Some or all of the following (depending on the level of qualification) would be beneficial:
- Demonstrable post qualification experience in employment law at a firm/department with a proven reputation
- An excellent understanding of the principal provisions in relevant employment legislation
- Experience in building and maintaining client relationships
- Experience in participating in client development events
- A clear understanding of the importance of accurate and efficient financial management
- Experience assisting partners and senior lawyers with a broad range of marketing and profile-raising initiatives
- Experience writing technical articles and presenting seminars or briefing sessions
- Understanding of how employment law can impact a client's business
- Solid organisation and time management skills
- Experience of working in a team and developing relationships with colleagues and clients
- Proven attention to detail and drafting skills
- Sound problem solving skills
- Ability to adapt to a broad range of situations and remain calm under pressure
- Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
What We Can Offer You
- The opportunity to work for a firm recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK, ranked by Great Place to Work® for 25 consecutive years.
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working
- Lawyer bonus
- Generous annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week of extra annual leave
- Private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
- A generous pension allowance
- Life insurance covering four times your annual salary
- The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- State of the art offices
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development
Many of our people work flexibly in some way. If you would like to explore flexible working arrangements with us, we are happy to discuss this during the recruitment process.
Equal Opportunities
Gowling WLG is committed to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. We believe in equality of opportunity regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. This also includes incidents of perceived discrimination and harassment. Our aim is to attract and retain talented people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Offers are conditional on clearance by the SRA, evidence of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS clearance.
If you have any queries regarding this position, please contact Sam Price – sam.price@gowlingwlg.com
Senior Associate - Employment employer: Gowling WLG
Contact Detail:
Gowling WLG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Associate - Employment
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in employment law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and show off your knowledge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your employment law knowledge. Be ready to discuss recent legislative changes and how they impact businesses. This will show that you’re not just a candidate, but a valuable asset.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and are proactive about your job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate - Employment
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Associate role. Highlight your experience in employment law and how it aligns with what we do at StudySmarter. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills! Use specific examples from your past work that showcase your problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and client relationship management. We love seeing real-life applications of your expertise.
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Use plain English to explain your experiences and avoid jargon. This not only makes it easier for us to read but also reflects the straightforward approach we value in our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the key provisions of employment law relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with recent legislative changes and be ready to discuss how they impact employers. This will show your potential employer that you're not just knowledgeable but also proactive in staying updated.
✨Showcase Your Client Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained client relationships in the past. Think about specific instances where your advice made a difference for a client. This is crucial, as the firm values strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with clients across various sectors.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss complex employment law scenarios you've navigated. Highlight your approach to problem-solving and how you remain calm under pressure. This will illustrate your capability to handle the diverse challenges that come with advising clients.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life situations you might face in the role. Prepare to discuss how you would draft employment-related documents or advise on TUPE issues. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
